Materials
Leather & care
What VOSKELI pieces are made of — cowhide leather in a smooth or pebble-grain finish, cowhide suede, cotton lining, brass-tone hardware — and how to look after them.
This page says plainly what VOSKELI pieces are made of, how leather behaves and how to look after it. If something is not written here, we do not claim it.
The leathers
| On the catalogue card | What it is | How it looks and wears |
|---|---|---|
| Cowhide leather, smooth finish | Cowhide with a smooth, semi-matte surface | Shows the shape of the bag crisply. Takes on small marks and a soft sheen with use; light scratches can often be rubbed out with a clean, dry finger. |
| Cowhide leather, pebble-grain finish | Cowhide with a fine, raised grain pattern pressed into the surface | A little softer to the touch and better at hiding everyday scuffs. A good choice for bags that are carried every day. |
| Cowhide suede | The napped, velvety side of cowhide | Warm and matte. Suede marks more easily than smooth leather and does not like rain; brushing restores the nap. |
We use cowhide only. No exotic or protected animal skins are used in any VOSKELI product.
Lining, hardware and details
- Lining: cotton canvas, printed with the first sentence of the piece’s invented book. Straps carry the sentence on a printed cotton band on the underside; charms on a small panel inside.
- Hardware: buckles, clips, D-rings and book corners are brass-tone metal. They are not solid brass.
- Closures: most satchels close with push-lock catches under the buckle straps, so you do not need to unbuckle them every time. The Orchard Inventory uses hidden magnetic catches instead.
- Ribbon: the bookmark ribbon under the flap is woven grosgrain.
Natural variation
Leather is a natural material. The grain, the shade and small natural marks differ from hide to hide, so your piece will not look exactly like the photograph or like another piece of the same colour. Leather also darkens and softens as it is used and handled. None of this is a fault — it is what makes a bag look lived-in, like a book that has been read.
Our products have not been tested for water resistance and are not waterproof.
Looking after leather
- Wipe smooth and pebble-grain leather with a soft, dry cloth. For marks, use a cloth that is only just damp, then let the leather dry naturally.
- Brush suede gently with a soft suede brush in one direction. Do not use water on suede.
- If a bag gets wet, blot it with a dry cloth, stuff it loosely with paper and let it dry at room temperature, away from radiators and direct sunlight.
- Keep leather away from open flames and prolonged heat, and do not leave it in direct sun for long periods.
- If you use a leather conditioner, test it first on a hidden spot such as the underside of the flap. Do not use conditioner on suede.
- Store your bag stuffed with paper so it keeps its shape, in a cool, dry place. Do not store it in a sealed plastic bag.
- Pens and dark denim can transfer colour onto light leathers such as Parchment. Keep pens capped and inside a case.
Questions
If something does not look right when your order arrives, see Returns & Refunds or email support@voskeli.shop.